With the 2014 NFL season ready for kickoff, USA TODAY Sports' NFL staff provides a team-by-team breakdown of the AFC (teams listed in order of 2013 division finish):

NFC EAST

Philadelphia Eagles

Coach: Chip Kelly, 2nd year, 10-6

Gains: RB Darren Sproles, S Malcolm Jenkins, QB Mark Sanchez

Losses: WR DeSean Jackson, QB Michael Vick, S Patrick Chung

Rookie to watch: Second-round pick WR Jordan Matthews had nine catches for 104 yards in his second preseason game vs. New England.

Optimism: RB LeSean McCoy led the NFL in rushing with 1,607yards. He developed into a terrific all-around player with the ability to get open for screen passes as well as block, and fumbled only once last season. He also displayed leadership skills on a fairly young team.

Pessimism: The offensive line's depth will be challenged by the four-game drug suspension of 2013 first-round pick Lane Johnson for performance-enhancing drugs. Johnson started all 16 games and the 26-24 playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Reality: They remain prohibitive division favorites. But an awful defense might be only marginally better, and losing Jackson poses a level of concern offensively.And can we really expect another historically efficient passing season from QB Nick Foles? Doubtful.

Optimism: Tony Romo, 34, has the ability to stretch the field and put up a lot of points. His big issue? Holding on to the football. When he doesn't turn it over, Dallas is tough to slow down. Over the last three seasons, Romo has thrown for 90 TDs but also had 39 INTs and 17 fumbles.

Pessimism: The defense was brutal last season. The New Orleans Saints had 40 first downs against it in a game vs. the Cowboys late in the season. Four opposing quarterbacks topped 400 yards. Losing Lee, Hatcher and Ware makes the defense even thinner.

Reality: Assuming Romo's back is fully healthy, the offense is primed to reach 30 points any given week. But this defense might be giving up 40.

Rookie to watch: Late-round pick Devon Kennard starts at SLB and has made some big plays

Optimism: Eli Manning had 27 INTs last season, and he has to be better. For a two-time Super Bowl-winning QB with a lot of pride, expect him to come back stronger than ever. If he gets better protection, his numbers will improve in a big way.

Pessimism: Last season, the Giants gave up 40 sacks, 20 more than they allowed in 2012. The line never was able to put together a strong game, and Manning had to make rushed throws. The line was shuffled after Chris Snee retired, and Will Beatty is coming back from injury.

Reality: Manning and the offense looked lost under McAdoo in the preseason, and the shuffled offensive line didn't help. Giants fans better brace for another slow start.

Optimism: Jackson, cut by the Eagles, will provide a deep threat Washington has lacked in recent seasons. He also is a terrific punt returner if the Redskins choose to use him. If Jackson is motivated to prove his value to his new team, the Redskins could get a big season from him.

Pessimism: Can Gruden co-exist with Robert Griffin III? A rookie coach and an outspoken young quarterback can be tough to mesh. After a 3-13 season, there also will be little patience from the fan base, so it's vital for Gruden and Griffin to have success early.

Reality: Griffin seems to dig Gruden but was still digging plenty of offensive holes in the preseason. The blocking, outside of LT Trent Williams, looks shaky. This needs to be the year Jim Haslett's defense jells if the Redskins are to make a division title run.

Rookie to watch: We all know about FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, but 6-3, 219-pound WR Jeff Janis has looked big and fast in preseason. He is one of the most gifted athletes in the NFL.

Optimism: In QB Aaron Rodgers' absence in 2013, Green Bay had to reinvent itself as a powerful, versatile rushing team. The emergence of Eddie Lacy and the offensive line should give Rodgers and McCarthy the ability to be as balanced as ever.

Pessimism: The Packers are relying on a lot of moving parts finding proper fits. Peppers has never been asked to rush from a two-point stance — a big adjustment, even for a veteran. Raji's season-ending injury is a huge blow.

Reality: Having Rodgers at or near 100% for 16 games should translate to at least 10 wins off the bat. If the defense generates just a few more splash plays, the Pack should make waves in postseason.

Rookie to watch: DT Will Sutton has a nose for the ball and showed it in the preseason

Optimism: Chicago returns all 11 starters from the NFL's No. 2 scoring offense in 2013. The whole group, especially QB Jay Cutler, should benefit from a full offseason under Trestman, who probably will add elements to an already-explosive attack.

Pessimism: The Bears have six defensive Pro Bowlers, none younger than 30. Can Lance Briggs, Charles Tillman and Jeremiah Ratliff, all 33, regain their form coming off injuries? The Bears have little proven pass rushers outside of Allen, 32.

Reality: This is the second time in Cutler's tenure in Chicago that he'll operate the same offensive system in consecutive seasons. If he stays healthy and the defense merely improves to adequate, this team should be playing in January.

Detroit Lions

Coach: Jim Caldwell, 1st year

Gains: FB Jed Collins, S James Ihedigbo, WR Golden Tate

Losses: WR Nate Burleson, S Louis Delmas, DE Willie Young

Rookie to watch: TE Eric Ebron has more athleticism than many wide receivers

Optimism: QB Matthew Stafford and WR Calvin Johnson have never had this talented a supporting cast. "Megatron" should see fewer double-teams and shaded coverage because of the pass-catching threats Tate and rookie TE Eric Ebron provide.

Pessimism: The Packers and Bears boast two of the NFL's best pass offenses, and the Vikings should improve under new coordinator Norv Turner. Detroit's corner tandem of Darius Slay and Rashean Mathis and safeties Glover Quin and Ihedigbo doesn't inspire confidence.

Reality: Plenty of star power, but can the defense do enough to slow down the mighty NFC North offenses? With demoted DT Nick Fairley an issue, this team is still undermining itself.

Minnesota Vikings

Coach: Mike Zimmer, 1st year

Gains: MLB Jasper Brinkley, DT Linval Joseph, CB Captain Munnerlyn

Losses: DE Jared Allen, TE John Carlson, CB Chris Cook

Rookie to watch: Starting SLB Anthony Barr has rare athletic traits.

Optimism: Having selected multiple first-rounders in each of the last three years GM Rick Spielman has built a solid, young nucleus, including WR Cordarrelle Patterson and LT Matt Kalil.

Pessimism: QB Matt Cassel can look great at times, horribly streaky at others and he'll always have arm strength and athletic limitations. Rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater is considered the most pro-ready rookie passer but has not played at this level. Christian Ponder isn't the answer. In a QB-driven league, the Vikings lack a sure thing.

Reality: Zimmer inherits a defense that surrendered the most points in the NFL in 2013. And despite promising preseasons from Cassel and Bridgewater, the quarterback situation remains a wild card. Adrian Peterson can't do it by himself.

Optimism: The defensive front seven might be second to none, led by Luke Kuechly, the reigning NFL defensive player of the year. Newton also has another year of experience under his belt.

Pessimism: A receiving corps that's missing Smith and Ted Ginn might have to rely on rookie Kelvin Benjamin. The Panthers lost Munnerlyn and Mitchell in the defensive backfield.

Reality: New receiving corps, offensive line, secondary. New scar on Newton's surgically repaired ankle. Translation: There's likely to be a new South champion again.

New Orleans Saints

Coach: Sean Payton, 8th year, 73-39

Gain: S Jairus Byrd

Losses: S Roman Harper, RB Darren Sproles, CB Jabari Greer

Rookie to watch: WR Brandin Cooks is quick and will help make up for the loss of Sproles.

Optimism: The Payton-Drew Brees presence, a top-five defense led by Rob Ryan, a distinct home-field advantage, key additions on offense and defense.

Pessimism: Sproles is in Philadelphia, leaving behind a running game that ranked 26th in yards per play last season. Getting tough yards on the ground at crucial times has not been this team's forte. Look for more touches for Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson.

Reality: There's no reason to think the offense won't set off its perennial fireworks. But if an ascending defense now armed with Byrd also takes the ball away, the Saints could be vying for a No. 1 playoff seed. If they get it, there might be no stopping them.

Rookie to watch: At 6-5, 231, WR Mike Evans has the size to outjump smaller defenders

Optimism: Smith, 56, brings a wealth of NFL experience, a winning attitude and maturity to Tampa, which arguably had been lacking during Greg Schiano's stormy two-year head coaching run. Smith's nine seasons with Chicago (81-63), the Bears won three division championships and played in Super Bowl XLI. He is a proven winner, at least in the regular season.

Pessimism: Two-time Pro Bowler Nicks and the team parted ways. He was signed to a five-year, $47.5 million deal in 2012 but was limited to nine games because of multiple foot surgeries and a recurring staph infection. The Bucs also released RG Davin Joseph in March, though Mankins arrival via trade should be more than an upgrade.

Reality: New coaching staff. New quarterback. New schemes on both sides of the ball with a slew of new players. That doesn't sound like a recipe for many wins in 2014, even if this team is shaping up nicely in the long view.

Optimism: The NFL's best defense has lost a few pieces but returns with most of its stars. DL Michael Bennett, CB Richard Sherman and S Earl Thomas signed contract extensions, meaning the core of this defense could be around for a while.

Pessimism: It has been a decade since a Super Bowl champion repeated, and the last time an NFC team played in back-to-back Super Bowls, Mike Holmgren was coaching the Packers.

Reality: Things appear pretty rosy. QB Russell Wilson's relentless dedication could soon mean full-fledged superstardom. And with the defense basically intact and WR Percy Harvin ready for the regular season, this team seems as well-equipped for a title defense as any in recent memory.

Rookie to watch: DB Jimmie Ward is versatile and could make his presence known in a depleted econdary.

Optimism: The 49ers have consistently been one of the NFL's best during Harbaugh's three-year tenure; they've just never been the best. That close-but-no-cigar routine should motivate them to get over the hump. Harbaugh's coaching record is the best in the NFL since 2011.

Pessimism: The losses of Whitner, Rogers and Brown could affect the airtight defense. Eric Reid, the 2013 first-round pick, made the Pro Bowl as a rookie And Smith is gone for nine games, which also will affect the secondary.

Reality: Smith's absence and the knee rehab for ILB NaVorro Bowman seem to make the defense vulnerable. Much will ride on the development of QB Colin Kaepernick as a team that's ridden a lot of tough miles the last three years gears up for another grueling march.

Rookie to watch: WR John Brown. GM Steve Keim said he hasn't seen a rookie receiver do what Brown has since Anquan Boldin.

Optimism: The Cardinals were good enough to be a playoff team in any other season and in most other divisions, and were among the hottest teams in the NFL during the second half of last season. Matching last year's win total might be enough to get into the playoffs.

Pessimism: The Cardinals did their best to keep a solid defense together, but the losses of Dansby, Dockett and Washington plus S Tyrann Mathieu's return from a knee injury have left big question marks. Arizona will rely heavily on aging players to play significant roles. That, and they play in perhaps the NFL's toughest division.

Reality: QB Carson Palmer caught fire in the second half of 2013 and will have to sustain that play throughout 2014 for the offense to offset the defensive setbacks. The revamped offensive line surrounding statue-esque Palmer could hold the key for a team that may again fall just short of postseason.

Rookie to watch: DB Lamarcus Joyner has a nose for the ball and the team loves his aggressive style.

Optimism: The defense includes one of the best front sevens in football. DE Robert Quinn became an elite pass rusher last season, and he's surrounded by plenty of talent in DE Chris Long and steady DTs Michael Brockers and Kendall Langford. LBs James Laurinaitis and Alec Ogletree have star potential.

Pessimism: Bradford's loss to a knee injury in the preseason was a devastating blow and left the offense in Shaun Hill's hands. That doesn't inspire confidence.

Reality: The Rams appeared primed to battle for a playoff berth a few weeks ago. But relying on the arm of Hill is a big thing to ask, even for a team with an elite defense.

VIDEO: NFL pre-kickoff power rankings

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USA TODAY Sports' Lorenzo Reyes breaks down where every team stands with the NFL season opening up.